Sir, I am sure of it--she will he entered the outer court of thy Abbey. pardon you?" The number of carriages which obstructed the gate, and the innumerable crowd of persons, of both sexes, who were endeavouring to enter the church, which echoed with the awful and sublime sounds of the organ, convinced Eugenio that it would be in vain for him to attempt to see Virginia. "I have business of the last importance to communicate to her, "said he to the portress, << and I must instantly see her." Laurina bad infinite difficulty to persuade him that he was not in a state to undertake a journey of five-and-forty miles, and positively refused to acquaint him with the Convent to which his Virginia had retired, until he had given her his word to wait till the next day. She afterwards made him partake of some refreshment, and then left him to enjoy that sleep into which the excess of his fatigue soon plung-not believe she will be able to ed him. At seven in the morning he awoke; and without attending to Laurina, who entreated him to wait breakfast, he mounted his horse, and set off at full gallop. Arrived at San Cipriano, he alighted at the door of a neat cottage, in which the gardener of the convent dwelt. After having drank a jug of milk to calm his ardent thirst, "It is impossible, Sir,” answered the other, "Sighora Spanozzi is this day to sing a motet: she is at this moment in the Church, which she cannot leave without the express permission of the Abbess, I do obtain its for the immense served assembled, have come company, you must have obfrom a variety of neighbouring villages, in order to hear her voice, the excellence of which is justly extended far and near.' Eugenio sighed, and entered the Church with the rest of the throng; he placed himself near the grate, and waited, with in her absent image, while his tears suffused his countenance. The gardener of the Abbey, at whose cottage he had alighted, was at that moment proceeding to the Church. He immediately recognized Eugenio, and, touched with compassion at the sorrow with which he appeared overwhelm expressible anguish, the arriv al of that moment when his loved Virginia should present herself to his sight; but when he beheld her appear, when he heard the sweat accents of that voice which had SO often charmed his soul, and when he remarked that fatal black veil, the irrevocable sign of the consummation of the sacrifice he dreaded, he was nearly expired, advanced towards him, and ing with despair; his bosom was convulsed by his sighs-he rushed out of the Church; and it was at that moment, as we have already said, Virginia perceived him. proffered a few words of eonsolation. If, Sir, you will enter with me," added the good old man, with tears in his eyes, "you are welcome to repose yourself; and if I can be afterwards of service to you, I shall consider myself happy, and you may depend upon my fidelity." of impatience at that compassion evinced by the old man, which he was persuaded could afford no alleviation of the misery that oppressed him; but a sudden idea penetrated his heart, and produced on his Distracted, and unconscious of what he was doing, Eugenio wandered about the Abbey; he fixed his mournful looks on the lofty walls which inclosed Eugenio felt at first extremethe object of his ardent lovely agitated, and betrayed maaks clasped his hands, and for some minutes seemed buried in deep contemplation; then suddenly advancing with hasty step, he appeared to avoid the heartrending sensations to which the aspect of the monastery gave birth. Afterwards an ircountenance an effect someresistable attraction recalled what similar to that of the first him near the spot where his rays of the sun dissipating the Virginia was confined. His vapours of night. His palid despair was succeeded by a features were animated with sentiment of the most tender an expression of hope; joy affection. He called on her sparkled in his eyes; he seiz. name addressed himself toed the hands of the old man, and grasped them with all the fervency of affection." My friend," he exclaimed, "my dear friend, procure me the means of seeing Virginia, and cf enjoying an uninterrupted interview with her. Remove far from her, as well as myself, importunate and erhaps Cangerous curiosity of the Argus-eyed uns who watch her motions. You will by your obedience store me to life: be assured that my gratitude shall b bordss, and the rewards I will bestow upon you for so eminent a service, shall leave you nothing to hope or desire." (To be Continued). to amuse himself with some books which were lying on a table, for a few moments; "my daughter," said she, "is gone to gather flowers to adora the hearth, her stay will not be long, and as the conversation of an old lady can at any time be dispensed with by a young gentleman, I will make apology for attendidg to my family affairs for a little while." no -Albudor, however, could not reed, the neatness and simplicity with which the apartment was furnished, and the cheerfulness, and engaging address of his venerable hostess, perplexed him. this," said he, "have I found another recluse? no, that cannot be, St. Herbert is wrapt up, in woe, and every thing around. him bespeaks the anguish of his soul; but chearfulness seems to have taken up her residence here, and all I see, answers to her voice; why then should she, evidently born. in a higher sphere, thus immure herselfin a desert." With. these words he seated himself by a window, and looking outperceived a girl bearing flowers, lightly stepping across the meadow in rear of the house. She was dressed in a loose blue silk robe, which was gathered about the waist in a white sash "What means. her hair fell careless upon her me to him, for it must be my shoulders, and a small straw bonnet shaded her face from the sun, which just then shone above the east horizon. At this new sight, the perplexed conjectures of Albutor redoubled, and he was falling into a profound muse, when he heard her voice in the entry; it struck upon his heart like lightning, ---he trembled, his breath stopped, an idea flashed through his mind, and he sprang up to assure himself of its reality; when she entered-he looked but stayed not to gaze for wild with extacy, he clasped her in his arms, and feebly articulated" it is "it is my own Caroline." brother." However, at the instance of Albador, who apprehended that her sudden and unexpected appearance might opperate too powerfully upon the sorrow-worn hermit, she dispatched a note to him by one of her servants, and before the man had well delivered it, her impatience had led her to the door of St. Herbert's cot :-its owner stood ready, to receive her and with many drops of renewed affection did they bedew each other's faded cheek. Who they had obtained a degree of composure, Albudor, who with his Caroline had followed St. Herbert,s sister, en. Having received her congratulations upon their happyquired how long she had dwelt 66 rencontre, he arose to take leave," And why will you leave us so soon," demanded the elder lady- My host will expect me," answered be, "the good old St. Herbert.""St. Herbert !" reiterated she, in a tone of surprise, "St. Herbert, where does, he live? -who is he;" "He is your neighbour, madam ;" An old man, did you say?" "I did;" "How long has he resided here ?" "For very many years." "Oh!" exclaimed she, barsting into tears, "lead in the vicinity of her brother: 'For three years,” replied she, and yet until this morning have never had an idea of his being here; however that is not to be wondered at, for as it was my intention to withdraw from the world entirely, I made no enquiries concernit; and my two aged domes. tics, possessing even more taciturnity than myself, it cannot be expected that they were either inquisitive or communicative."St. Herbert being willing to know by what means by one stroke my every blooming joy-there was new nothing upon earth that was worth my wishes, and desirous. of being excluded from cares which were no longer pleasing, I retired to the monastery where my husband was interred.-I here indulged myself in weeping over his relics and tears; my mind my insensible degrees, became calmer, and I mourned as one of those who did not mourn without hope. For eight years I resided there, when the building taking fire, it was burnt down to the she had been induced to seclade herself from society, she satisfied his curiosity thus: Shortly after your unexpected flight from the city, a young French merchant from Montreal became acquainted with me, and perceiving my attachment to him, asked permission of my father to marry me, who thinking that it was an advan-mingling my petitions with my tageous offer, consented without hesitation, but the rest of the family opposed it so vioJently, that my father with tears in his eyes, intreated us to be united privately, and to set out for Canady without delay; as my brothers had vow-ground, and as the rebuilded to assassinate Dugazon if I persisted in my attachment, he being in point of politics and religion their declared encmy.We obeyed, and in the silence of midnight I uttered my vows to Dugazon before heaven, then having received upon my knees the whispered blessing of my weeping parent, I bade him an everlasting adieu. We arrived at Monreal after a tedious journey, and for several years scarce knew what anxiety was, save in the absence of my adored partner: but death, the great leveller of man's proudest schemes of felicity, laid my idol in the dust, and withered I ing of it was protracted for some time, I grew tired of living among strangers; so, collecting what money I had left, I put the major part out, at a moderate interest, and with the residue purchased the spot I now cccupy from a young man, who was as much, disgusted with solitude as I was. charmed with it. Once have I quit my mansion since then. in order to transact some urgent business at New-York, and upon my return homeward I met with my eloping Caroline, who being young and a stranger, I invited her to accompany nie, intending to have kept her with me, till we could have gain |